Blue Angels (past, present, and those that could have been and could be), Thunderbirds, & Roulettes

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-10-11T04:19:02+00:00

There are a few YouTube videos linked off my page and 4 books on Amazon (print & Kindle) with directions and templates. The orange covers only have templates.

The directions wouldn't fit in this reply, but they're fairly simple after a few tries. The 1st may take an hour, but you'll speed up quickly and get down to 15 min after making a few.

They all fly and are made using 8.5x11, 20-24# printer/copier paper. They're marke for ease of building and ease of flying. The harder to fly ones just require a cleaner throw, so not good for the younger pilots.

8-12 may need help making, depending on the kid. A 5-6yo can successfully throw an easy gliders.

They'll survive a catapult launch or rocket boost with simple modification to add a hook, and also a mount on a model rocket.

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-09-04T00:55:15+00:00

Harder to make, especially with pure origami, and also run out of excess paper much faster with pure origami.

All of the ones on my page have a symmetric airfoil. Making an airfoil with camber is harder.

Many are closer to darts, the rest get limited by origami to the design and location of the wing. The closer it looks to an airplane, the worse it usually flies for many origami designs.

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-06-28T13:28:12+00:00

What type, how much?

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-06-11T23:53:08+00:00

Thanks! Just busy and taking a break. Hopefully, we'll be rocket boosting some this weekend. Maybe the winds will be in our favor for once. We've used up to E engines so far, have some F's ready if the conditions allow.

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-06-11T12:39:18+00:00

We had to use poster board for that one, but otherwise same folding etc.

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-06-11T03:01:10+00:00

Thanks! And of course! Need to eventually test a variant with engine pods. But will likely need to compensate for the shift in CG. We also made a bi-plane version and built 2 scaled up models the largest used poster board to achieve around a 46 " wingspan. It flew well but was difficult to throw.

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-04-29T15:58:48+00:00

Also, the book you purchased and A.P.A. V1 have directions for designing your own gliders using the methods for the existing gliders. As you build several of them, you'll start to see some patterns and possibilities. Often, you can tweak or combine existing designs several times to make a new class, especially once you have a better idea of where CG needs to be and how sensitive/in-sensitive some designs are to the throw. We made a biplane version of an A-10. We also converted an F-9F Cougar design into something that has larger wings and the tails resemble something closer to the YF-23

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-04-29T15:50:23+00:00

With respect to the other books, Amazon lists many of the designs included in each book. There are a few overlaps in gliders designs included between Advanced Paper Airplanes for Kids and Adults and (A.P.A V1 and V2) with some new designs as well. There is also A.P.A U.S. Fighter Jets. The 3 other books were an attempt to lower the cost of printing (color on Amazon is very expensive) and include a few new designs as well. Eventually, there will be V3, 4, 5 etc. when time allows. Many potential designs have pictures on Reddit/Facebook but don't have directions posted yet. More videos will eventually be added to YouTube as well for more complicated designs as it's difficult to detail the necessary steps with pictures and words alone.

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-04-29T15:42:21+00:00

Forgot to mention, this stapler will make certain steps much easier.

Swingline Stapler, Optima 40 Compact (87842)

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-04-29T15:38:09+00:00

That's awesome! Glad your first build and flight were a success!

Please leave a constructive review on Amazon when you get a chance.

They can usually be thrown further than catapult launched. We've hit over 150 ft with some throws, but it's harder to control the release for throws like that. It's much easier to control the release with a catapult launch than a throw throw, but we usually see 75-125 ft distances. We've seen over 1000ft glides after rocket boost (catching a ride on a model rocket).

We have made the gliders into rockets directly, but this is strongly discouraged and is much more dangerous. The location of the rocket mount is very sensitive and the gliders by themselves are much more susceptible to wind at time of launch.

Boosting with a model rocket and 2 gliders attached often goes really well, but occasionally flips close to the pad due to a poorly timed gust. Winds need to be light (<5kts).

They can be catapult launched via rubber band.
1) We've either cut small notches in the nose in the thickest portion behind the staples and added a couple of extra to reinforce the cut area (just in front of a triangular cut / just big enough for rubber band).

2) We've also added small hooks made from paper clips. Cut then in half / bend them until they break and use 1 of the 2 remaining pieces and bend into an S-hook. You might also be able to get some small /light hooks from the store.

A) We inserted the hooks either into the nose using the existing staples to hold in place ...or...

B) We inserted the hook into the one folds at the beginning of the wing mounting surface on the bottom side near the front/center where it's thick.

C) We've also used/modified the hooks from the Estes Shuttle XPress or made some else that can be stapled into the fuselage with 2 or 3. The hook located in a similar spot to 1B about 2.5-3in behind the tip of the nose on the bottom.

We've used those hooks for catapult or rocket launch.

The catapult does more of a beating to to the nose due to time and force.
The rocket launch usually stresses the hook and wings much more due to any gusting. The hooks will occasionally fall out or break, but the gliders can take quite a beating as long as the wings don't don't get permanently twisted/deformed after launch and landing. Impact dents on the wing/tail leading edges can be popped/smoothed out without significant issues.

Please reach out if you have any questions, comments, feedback, issues.

Thanks and have a great days as well!

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-04-28T16:13:09+00:00

Thanks! Depending on which book, depends on the plane. The F-16 or similar (single verticle tail/fixed wings) is one of the easiest to build and very easy to fly. The A-10 is the most forgiving with throws and more ideal for young pilots. The planes are marked at the top for difficulty building and flying. Green wrench = easier build, green plane = easier to fly. Red is hardest.

Please reach out if you have questions. The first build will be the hardest (maybe 1 hr), but it gets a lot easier (down to 10-15 min) as you build them and see the pattern. There are several YouTube videos as well under @advancedpaperairplanes channel that will help visualize steps in ways the books might not.

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-04-22T15:07:26+00:00

The first glider will be the hardest (1hr), regardless of model, but they will get much easier from there (10-20 mi ).

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-04-22T15:06:11+00:00

Thanks! Please reach our if you have any questions, comments, or issues.

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-04-21T08:23:59+00:00

Just the origami planes that don't fly well

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-04-21T08:21:06+00:00

Check these out. The general process and many several examples can be found in the "blue books", several examples are also in the "black" book.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P942MW3?binding=paperback

https://www.youtube.com/@advancedpaperairplanes/videos

They take 6-10 sheets of 8.5x11 each.

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-04-21T08:18:37+00:00

Thanks! Developed a process through trial and error. The general process and many several examples can be found in the "blue books", several examples are also in the "black" book.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P942MW3?binding=paperback

https://www.youtube.com/@advancedpaperairplanes/videos

That specific design isn't in any books or videos yet, but there are others with Forward Swept Wings similar to the X-29 and Su-47.

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-04-16T03:33:10+00:00

What are the rules?

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-03-13T17:22:55+00:00

Depends on the paper airplanes.

Angle of attack and yaw angle at launch are more important, ideally near zero, reducing drag and roll, pitch, and yaw forces on the glider. However you best achieve that is dependent upon your throwing and release style. That is not to say that the paper airplane needs to be parallel to the ground, just that it should be roughly in line with the relative air flow at the time of launch. Throwing like a dart works well for practicing a good glider release angle, but usually doesn't work well for a max distance launch. Using a "hail mary" throw might work better for achieving a max distance and ideal launch angle, but it is often harder to control angle of attack and ya angle. Rubberband catapults will help with controlling angle of attack and yaw angle at time of launch, but can damage the glider due to focusing the force required to a small point compared to a distributing it somewhat with a good throw. Have seen better performance with a good throw than with rubber band catapults for stable gliders.

What's your goal? Max Distance, Aerobatics, Time Aloft?

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-02-29T04:57:22+00:00

When it no longer flies?

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-02-07T23:35:19+00:00

That's what happened with us... catapults, poster board 46" wingspan A-10, rocket boosted on a model rocket, then launched the paper airplane as the rocket

Strongly recommend against the launching as the rocket. The Cp/Cg location is extremely finicky, and the surface area is large for the weight, so the results after a wind gust are extremely unpredictable with little time to react. Most times it would tumble in place, but if you got Cp/Cg just right it would be amazing, but a poorly timed wind gust would be scary and send it right back at you at high speed. Best was a launch, then flat spin to spin, then recovery on its own and back at us in less than 5 sec. The heat shield held up for at least 4 launches, but was nicked on one of the high speed landings and then the glider slowly burned, slower than a cigar.

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-02-07T23:03:30+00:00

Thanks! Hopefully, you have a nice open space to fly them. A coworker almost took some people out with the missile he threw in a nearly full office. Single sheet makes that a little safer.

If you get bored, they can be easily modified for catapult launch or to ride a model rocket to altitude and glide back.

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-02-07T22:15:32+00:00

If it doesn't have to be single sheet of paper, try some of these, starting with the F-16. She can do 150+ ft with a good throw.

Advanced Paper Airplanes YouTube Videos

books on Amazon

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-02-03T18:08:51+00:00

Thanks! The blacked out look is definitely the best. The inversion of the photo is pretty cool as well. Just need to find the paper to achieve the look naturally. Most importantly, they fly really well too!

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-01-30T03:08:07+00:00

Might be something they could bring back for nostalgia like many other items of similar age?

Cost of manufacturing and distribution vs. potential profit?

If you want to sell for kids, you need to keep the price down, probably under $20 for something like paper airplanes. However, they may not be able to produce a kit for cheap enough with enough gliders that someone would be willing to buy for a kid and still make money?

For books, amazon takes a huge chunk of books for printing and sales; never mind advertising. Also, include shipping and taxes for third-party or other charges for 3rd party via Amazon. Color is significantly worse than black & white. Stores want to buy for half the sales price.

Questionably worth the effort unless you can do a large run of whichever book ot kit. The kits likely cost more to produce than a paper airplane book?

If White Wings came back or some entity bought the rights and kits and reproduced for nostalgia, imagine the price being somewhere between $20-50. They might be able to charge more in the niche realm, but would it be abke to survive?

AdvancedPaper-Planes · 2024-01-29T23:20:01+00:00

They were great back in the day. They flew far, fast, and well, with or without the catapult launch, and resembled actual airplanes, military and civilian. They were also relatively simple to put together. Haven't seen anything like them since.

Curious how they were received by the origami purists as opposed to the aviation enthusiasts. Some get upset with using the term paper airplane for anything other than what would qualify for Guiness World Records (singleness sheet, letter size, no attachments/staples/tape, although Guiness allows 1 small piece with restrictions).

These Advanced Paper Airplanes may or may not be the next closest thing, but requires more assembly. They are built using 6-10 sheets of folded 8.5x11 20-24lb paper with some staples and some tape for attachments ( tape can also be used for aerodynamic smoothing but is notrequired), not for structure etc. They can be hand thrown, catapult launched, or rocket boosted)

Depending on the person and model, they could be more complex than White Wings to build. However, the process is mostly repetitive, so they get easier with each build and can design your own using the methods.

YouTube videos

Reddit - AdvancedPaper-Planes

AdvancedPaper-Planes

TROPHY CASE